Censor board can't suggest cuts without objection letter: Rohit

Mumbai: Director Rohit Shetty says that the Censor Board has no right to suggest the makers of "Udta Punjab" remove "Punjab" and other words from the film, unless any political party or organisation sends a letter to them conveying their objections.

Rohit said, "It's become a lot, the problem with 'Udta Punjab'. For some things I feel that there was no need at all - like removing Punjab, can't say ministers, MLC, and you can't take names of certain places... it is not fair."

"The rule states that Censor Board should react only after a political party or an organisation raises objection. Has anyone sent them any letter? Without the letter they don't have the right to remove Punjab from the title. Will the producer and director release it as 'Udta'?"

Rohit, who directed movies like "Golmaal series", "All The Best" and "Dilwale", was present at the World No Tobacco Day 2016 for the Cancer Patients Aid Association.

The film "Udta Punjab" has been at loggerheads with the Censor Board after the latter suggested numerous cuts to the film.

When asked why films highlighting issues like the drug menace in a state had to face opposition from numerous quarters, he said, "The problem is that no one knows what the problem is. If you see, Anurag (Kashyap), Ekta (Kapoor), all are questioning the Censor Board."

"The team who made the film and those who invested money in the film, what they might be going through I can understand as a producer and a director. The movie was supposed to release on Friday and according to the rules if they don't get the certificate by tomorrow (Sunday) or a day after, they won't be able to release the film."

Numerous producers of the industry came together to raise their voice against the issue in a press conference, even demanding the removal of Central Board of Film Certification Chief Pahlaj Nihalani.

"It has always been happening with us now. The industry needs to come together and solve this problem once and for all. It will take time; gradually people have started raising their voice and people are being heard," Rohit added.